Asner, 71, will be presented with the SAG's Life Achievement Award in March 2002 - in recognition of "career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment".

His commitment to the rights of the working performer is unparallelled

William Daniels, SAG

The character Lou Grant was first introduced as Mary Richards' boss on the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in the early 1970s.

Grant, the editor of the fictional Los Angeles Tribune, then became a character in a show in his own right from 1977 to 1982.

The role earned Asner five Emmy and three Golden Globe Awards - and the actor received two more Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for the series Roots and Rich Man, Poor Man.

During his acting career Asner has been an active supporter of a number of humanitarian and political causes, including Defenders of Wildlife, Peace Now, the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International.

'Passion'

In a statement, SAG president William Daniels said: "Edward Asner's prolific and much-honoured acting career demonstrates a consummate ability to transcend the line between comedy and drama.

"His passion for social and political causes has been consistently underscored by deeds as well as words.

"His service and commitment to the rights of the working performer is unparallelled."